Lecture: Section 2567/Lab: Section 2568. Meets with F494. Students
must register in lecture and lab sections. Above sections open to
undergraduates only. Explores past and current theories, methods,
techniques, and tools used in notation and analysis of traditional
music. Emphasis is placed on problem solving and project
development. The musical traditions studied will sample a broad range
of traditions from around the globe and encompass historical and
recent time periods.
Prerequisites: Major/minor in ethnomusicology or permission of the
instructor. Knowledge of musical notation and demonstrated
experience in music dictation (T113-114 or equivalent).
Contents of Course: Transcription and analysis are fundamental
processes in ethnomusicological research and scholarship. Through
exploration and application of theories, methods, techniques, tools,
and skill development in transcription and analysis, this course
provides a foundation upon which students may become successful
researchers and scholars in the field of ethnomusicology. Works of
historical significance will be examined in relationship to current
theories and questions about music; theoretical principles will be
studied as bases for practical application; works of established
scholars will serve as groundwork for the research interests of
each student in the course. The musical traditions represented in the
literature and recordings studied in this course will sample a broad
range of traditions from around the globe, and encompass past and
recent time periods. While work with music in this course is done
outside of its cultural context, knowledge of context will
consistently inform assumptions made and approaches used to
transcribe and analyze music.
The evolution of transcription and analysis in the field of
ethnomusicology has been closely aligned with, and in large part
driven by the evolution of audio and visual technology.
Consequently, the study and use of audio and video technology is a
major component of the course. The course covers the various formats
on which sound and visual images are stored, and how technology can
be used to extract, notate, analyze, and illustrate aural and visual
elements of music performance. Technology training is done primarily
in the lab sections of the course.
Readings: The course draws from an extensive list of articles and
books; some are required reading, while others are optional of
reference works. Required readings range from one to two articles
per week. No reading assignments are given during the last two weeks
of class.
Outline of Requirements:
Daily preparation of reading assignments for discussion in
class
Short writing assignments
Transcription and analysis assignments
Two major assignments:
Class symposium paper and presentation
Individual research paper
Work in assignments and individual projects in SAVAIL and
other
technology labs